Folding tray construction



May 4, 1965 R. B. NAWMAN FOLDING TRAY CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 8, 1962 INVENTOR.

ROLLIE B. NAWMAN ATTORNEYS R. B. NAWMAN 3,181,705 FOLDING TRAY CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w ww U N. I ON. 5 X w cum .I m N w h. N

May 4, 1965 Filed March 8, 1962 INVENTOR. ROLLIE B. NAWMAN ATTORNEYS 3,181,705 FOLDING TRAY CONSTRUCTION Rollie B. Nawman, Piedmont, Calif., assignor to llenner- Nawman, Inc., Oakland, Calif, a corporation of California Filed Mar. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 178,297 5 Claims. (Cl. 211-132) This invention relates to a folding tray construction and more particularly to a folding tray construction which is particularly adapted for carrying loaves of bread and the like.

Folding trays have heretofore been provided. However, such folding .trays have not been satisfactory because they cannot be stacked with noncollapsible trays or nonfolding trays already in the market. In addition, it has been found that even if such trays can be stacked with the noncollapsible and nonfolding trays on the market, they are of such a size they cannot be stored in the same storage space in bakeries, trucks and the like.

There is therefore a need for a new and improved folding tray.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a folding tray which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding tray in which the bails can be readily moved between upright and folded positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding tray of the above character in which the trays can be readily stacked one above the other when the bails are in an upright position or in a folded position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding tray of the above character in which the trays can be stacked one above the other with the bails in an upright position by sliding the lower portions of the trays on the bails of the tray beneath.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding tray of the above character in which the trays can be stacked either with the bails in folded or upright positions with noncollapsible or nonfolding trays.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding tray construction of the above character which can be stored in spaced dimensions for noncollapsible or nonfolding trays already on the market.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a folding tray incorporating my invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-section view similar to FIGURE 2 showing the bail in a folded position.

FIGURE 4 is a partial side elevational view in crosssection of a pair of trays stacked one above the other with the bails in an upright position.

I FIGURE 5 is a partial cross-section view taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a partial side elevational view in crosssection of a pair of trays stacked one above the other with the bails in a folded position.

FIGURE 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is an isometric view showing the utilization of my folding tray with a noncollapsible or nonfolding tray.

FIGURE 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken alon the line 9--9 of FIGURE 8.

United States Patent 3,131,705 Patented May 4, 1965 In general, my folding tray construction consists of a rectangular framework comprised of a pair of spaced parallel substantially vertical side walls and a pair of spaced parallel substantially vertical end walls. The framework is also provided with a bottom wall portion extending around the perimeter of the framework and having runner-like means depending therefrom. A pair of spaced bails are pivotally mounted in the framework adjacent two of the spaced parallel walls for movement between upright and folded positions towards and away from the adjacent walls. The upper extremities of the bails are formed to provide runner-receiving means extending the length of the adjacent walls to permit stacking of the trays one above the other when the bails are in upright position. The runner receiving means is formed so that the trays can be loaded by sliding the same sideways in the runner-receiving means.

As shown in the drawings, my folding tray construction consists of a generally rectangular framework 11 which is formed by a pair of spaced parallel ends 12 and spaced parallel sides 13. The ends and sides forming the framework 11 are formed of any suitable material such as cold rolled steel and can have the same general configuration as shown in the drawings. Thus, the end and sides 12 and 13 are provided with vertical portions 12a and 13a, respectively, which form vertical side Walls and with horizontal portions 12b and 13b, respectively, which form bottom wall portions. Horizontal grooves or recesses 12c and 13c, respectively, are formed in the ends and sides adjacent the horizontal portions 12b and 13b to receive a liner as hereinafter described.

The horizontal or bottom wall portions 121) and 13b of the ends and sides are provided with depending U- shaped runner portions 12d and 13d which are formed integral therewith and which are spaced inwardly from the vertical portions 12a or 13a of the associated wall. As can be seen from the drawing, these U-shaped runner portions extend around the entire perimeter of the bottom portion of the frame 11. The ends and sides are also provided with outwardly and downwardly turned portions 12c and 13e to reinforce the side walls and also to provide rounded upper surfaces for the ends and sides.

A pair of diagonal reinforcing straps 16 are secured to the corner portions of the horizontal portions 12b and 13b of each of the corners of the rectanglar frame by suitable means such as spot welding as shown in the drawings. These straps, in addition to reinforcing the framework, also serve to provide a support for the liner (not shown) which is placed in the framework so that the edges of the liner seat within the recesses 12c and 15c of the end sides so that the same are retained therein during movement of the tray.

The folding tray also includes a pair of substantially U-shaped carrying bails 21 formed of a suitable rod-like material. The bails are pivotally mounted in the framework adjacent the ends 12 for movement toward and away from the ends about an axis which is parallel to the ends. The lower extremities of the bails can be pivotally mounted in any suitable manner such as. by means of brackets 22 substantially in the form of right angles which are mounted in the corners of the rectangular framework 11 and secured to the horizontal bottom wall portions 12b and 13b and the vertical wall portions 12a of the ends, as shown particularly in FIGURE 4. A cutout 23 is provided in each of the brackets and is adapted to receive a lower extremity of one end of the bails 21. The bails 21 are provided with portions 21a which extend in a direction which is parallel to the end wall portions 12a and which are held in position against the ends of the framework by curved portions 22a formed in the brackets 22.

same. Since this is the case, it can a plurality or after stacking. tray abovezin the proper. p

right position, extend upwardly vertically in a direction which is at right angles to the portions 21a; As can be seen from FIGURE 1,'tthe portions 21b have a substantiallengthsand are connected to looped portions 21c andv 21d. The looped portions 21d'are'joined by an interconnecting portion Zle which extends in a direction which .7

21b of each of the bails.

is at right angles to the portions The looped portions 210 and 21d are, formed in such a through an angle'of manner that together they extend 450 from the portions 21b to the portion 21e. In addition, the portions 210 and 21d are spaced apart a sufficient distance so that the runner portions 12d of the.

be received between the framework of the tray above can I be seen that the portion 21e is positioned inwardly. from the vertical end wall 121: so that it will be disposed on the inner side of the runner portion 12d of the framework of the tray above as shown particularly in FIGURE 4. Thus,

right position and consists of raised portions'or gabutv ments 24fformed in the vertical side wall'porti'onszl3a of 'the sides. "As can be seenparticula'rly from FIG URE 2, the raised portions or abutments '24,are spaced from the vertical end wallsso that'the vertical portions 21b of the bail can be'vreeeived between the raisedportion and the 'end wall. Thus, the bails are'retained in, an upright position; To facilitate this retention; the bails canbe' formed of engagement with I The bails .21 can be'readily moved to a folded .po'sition merely .by urging the same inwardly by the'hand' 'to cause the 'lowerextremitiesof the bails to be cammed in w'ardly by the abutments 24 to clear the abutmentsj' after which'the bails canbe readily'folded into a position soj 4 that they lie withinthe eonfines'of the frameworle11'..=. Use of my folding traysfican now be briefly describedas follows. Let it-gbe assumed that it isfdesired. to stack} of the folding trayswith the carrying bails 21" l in an'upright position. 1f the bails are. notalready, in an they can be readily moved to an' upright' springsteel so that they are sprung into the vertical side walls.

upright position,

: position'by merely lifting the bails upwardly and .out-,

war-dly or'in other words by, moving the bails with both hands towards and into engagement walls 12'so' that they are retainediin a vertical position by theabutm'ents 24; V r a Atithesanie time that the 'bail's" are being moved toQan upright position, the top of anothertray on which the bails have alreadyfbeen raised by positioning the runner portions associated with the end walls 12 intoithe recesses formed by the looped.. l portions 21cand 21d of the bails ofithe tray belowjand' then. sliding the tray sidewiseionto V V the runnerportions'13d associated with'the opposite side .walldropsfoverl the looped portions 7 bails to retain the tray on the bails of thetray below the other trayjuntil depending-runner portions 1 3d provided'on'thetside walls 1: andfengaging th'e side margins of the bails-ofthetray:

' below-.prevent'lateral movementof the tra y's with respect 1"1OQQ3Ch other gwhereas seatingof the runner: portions lzd between' the looped-portionsl l c and 21d of the bails of; longitudinal 'movement of? the filled with brea'd or other suitable merchandise. prior to 'The bails will serve-to support the o sition. so that the bread or V substantially straight yer in ef fect, it can be seen that the bails 21 are formed in such a; L a manner that they. provide a. recess in theupper' extremi- V ties thereofwhich extends substantially the entire length i. of the end'wall of the tray and is positioned immediately f with the vertical end tray .canfbe'lifted and stacked' on 2 1c and 21d of the 8 1,705 r other commodity carried in the tray will notbefcrushed. At the same time that construction of' the bails 'and the framework is such that there will not be undue lateral or longitudinal shifting of th'e trays with respect to each 5 other. r a r Now lower extremities of the bails inwardly so as to clear the abutments, after which the 'bails can be dropped or lowered into the framework.

As soon as the bails have been folded, the trays can be stacked one above the other as shown in FIGURE 6 with therunn'er portions of the framework of the tray above readily seating within the uppermargins of'the framework as shown particularly in FIGURE 6. Again, the runners cooperating with the framework of the traybelow serve to prevent substantial longitudinal and lateral movement 'of the trays withrespectto .each other. It can be seen that the bails 21 when folded are in such a position that they do; not interfere with the stacking'of the trays.

One of the primary advantages fi of the folding tray which is shown in the drawings is that it can be utilized in conjunction with a type of bread tray which has been marketed for a. number of years under the name of 'Deltra and which is similar to thetrays shown in Patent URES *8 and-9, is: of the non-.collapsiblegor nonfoldable type and consists of spaced upper andi'lower rectangular frameworks 27 and zfi which are maintained in a prede- :termiried vertically spaced apart relationship by right angle corner'p'ieces 1Z9. The lowerr'ectangular framework 28' is provided with'a depending runnerportion 28a which exwithin {the upper extremities of the bails 2 l betweenfthe l jportions 21b and 1d. The runner portionlztta of-thebottom'frarneworkalsoengages'the side ma'rgins of'the ba'ils V to "prevent lateralpiovement' of the Del'traf with respect to my folding tray. The farmer portionsil2d=arid 13d of my tray alsoireadi'lyffit withi ithe upper rectangular framework'f27 ofi the ffiDeltra ma manner to preventsubstan- .tial lateral and longitudinal zrno'vernent of rny folding tray with respectto th e' "Dc1tra. f

In addition to being usab tray also has the additional advantage thatit has the saine a overall rectangular frame dimensions as the Deltra so a 5 thatmy foldin g tray can be stored in compartmentswhich have'been dimensioned for the receipt: of Deltrasff This I has the great advantagein that itisjpossible for bakeries alreadyusing eltras;to-'readilyassimilate the folding trays without-changing any of the apparatus. or equipment utili'ziedfor handling-the"Deltrasfi Theuse of' my foldingtraysiis' I {fthan Deltras whenthe' bailslareina foldedposition.

7 It is pparent from theforegoing that-I have'jp'rcvided 5 'tages ove H improv inconstruction I and canlbefeoonomically manufactured. Qlts'construction is 'such tliat itfcanbe; readily integrated with conventional "trays alreadyin use. 1 f-lclaimz- '1. In ar'folding tray;

fo l'dingtray' is relatively :simpl a framework ,cornl 'vi ed of a pair let it be assumed thatit is desired to stackthe trays'with the bails in the folded position. If the bailsf tends around the; perimeter ''of framework .asgshown in li'fivith setters m 'fidiiig,

desirablein that they require rnuch le'ssspace aiIlQW n mproved folding tray which hasInianyadvan-I thelfolding trays heretofore provided; Mynew' ofispaced parallel substantially vertical side walls and a and having substantially continuous runner-like means depending from the same, the runner-like means being positioned inwardly from the side and end walls, and a pair of spaced substantially U-shaped bails pivotally mounted in the framework adjacent two of the spaced parallel walls for movement between upright and folded positions towards and away from said adjacent walls, the outer extermities of the bails being formed to provide runner receiving means extending the length of said adjacent walls to permit stacking of the trays one above the other when the bails are in an upright position, said runner receiving means being in the form of curved spaced pairs of portions with each of said pairs forming a runner-receiving recess extending in a direction parallel to said adjacent walls.

2. A folding tray as in claim 1 wherein said runner receiving means is formed so that the trays can be stacked one above the other by sliding the runner-like means on the runner-receiving means of the bails of the tray below.

3. In a folding tray, a framework having a pair of spaced parallel substantially vertical side walls, a pair of spaced parallel substantially vertical end walls, and bottom wall portions secured to the side and end walls and extending inwardly from the side and end walls in a direction at right angles to the side and end walls, the bottom wall portions being formed with substantially U-shaped runners depending from the bottom wall portions and being positioned inwardly from the side and end walls, and a pair of spaced substantially U-shaped bails pivotally mounted in the framework adjacent to a pair of said spaced parallel walls for movement between upright and folded positions towards and away from said adjacent walls, the upper extremities of the bails being formed to provide openended recesses extending in a direction parallel to said adjacent walls to permit stacking of the trays one above the other when the bails are in an upright position with the runners in the tray above being adapted to be disposed in the runner-receiving means of the bails of the tray below, said runners being adapted to seat within the upper margin of the framework of the tray below when the bails are in a folded position.

4. A folding tray as in claim 3 wherein the corners of the upper extremities of the bails are formed by a pair of integral spaced looped portions which are spaced apart to form said recesses for receiving the runners of the tray above when the bails are in an upright position.

5. -A folding tray as in claim 4 wherein the pair of looped portions on each corner of each of the bails extends through an angle of approximately 450.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 886,324 4/08 Norris 220-97 2,801,766 8/57 Bishop 22084 2,994,463 8/61 Drader 211-126 CLAUDE LE ROY, Primary Examiner, 

1. IN A FOLDING TRAY, A FRAMEWORK COMPRISED OF A PAIR OF SPACED PARALLEL SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL SIDE WALLS AND A PAIR OF SPACED PARALLEL SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL END WALLS, THE FRAMEWORK ALSO BEING COMPRISED OF BOTTOM WALL PORTIONS EXTENDING AROUND THE ENTIRE PERIMETER OF THE FRAMEWORK AND HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOUS RUNNER-LIKE MEANS DEPENDING FROM THE SAME, THE RUNNER-LIKE MEANS BEING POSITIONED INWARDLY FROM THE SIDE AND END WALLS, AND A PAIR OF SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED BAILS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN THE FRAMEWORK ADJACENT TWO OF THE SPACED PARALLEL WALLS FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN UPRIGHT AND FOLDED POSITIONS TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM SAID ADJACENT WALLS, THE OUTER EXTREMITIES OF THE BAILS BEING FORMED TO PROVIDE RUNNER RECEIVING MEANS EXTENDING THE LENGTH OF SAID ADJACENT WALLS TO PERMIT STACKING OF THE TRAYS ONE ABOVE THE OTHER WHEN THE BAILS ARE IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, SAID RUNNER RECEIVING MEANS BEING IN THE FORM OF CURVED SPACED PAIRS OF PORTIONS WITH EACH OF SAID PAIRS FORMING A RUNNER-RECEIVING RECESS EXTENDING IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO SAID ADJACENT WALLS. 